When Gagne last played in Philadelphia back in 2009-10, he was a top-tier forward. Those days are likely behind the 33-year-old, but he still recorded five goals and 11 points in 27 games in his latest stint with the club.

Gagne is hoping he was good enough to convince the Flyers to re-sign him as an unrestricted free agent and it sounds like he might have been.

“I had two really good meetings, with both ‘Lavy’ [coach Peter Laviolette] and ‘Homer’ [GM Paul Holmgren] after the season ended,” Gagne told the Philadelphia Daily News. “They thought that I did a lot of good things toward the end of the season and liked what I brought to the team.”

On the off-chance you haven’t heard yet, Philadelphia also has what Gagne termed as “some money issues.” In other words, the Flyers are struggling to get under the cap ceiling and have reportedly already committed to using a compliance buyout on Daniel Briere. Goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov might suffer a similar fate.

Still, it’s Gagne’s understanding that the Flyers will contact his agent before the June 30 NHL Entry Draft. He’s coming off of a two-year, $7 million deal, but it sounds like he’ll be flexible with his financial demands.

“I’m at the point of my career where I made really good money for a while,” Gagne said in April. “At the end of the day, money is just a small question. Being happy is important. If I like the place, I’ll make things work – for everyone to be happy, to make sure it doesn’t hurt the team.”

“If I like the place, I’ll make things work – for everyone to be happy, to make sure it doesn’t hurt the team.”

YES, Gagne. keep that Flyers jersey on.

phillyphanatic77 - Jun 20, 2013 at 10:09 AM

It’d be great if he signed for somewhere around 1.5-1.8mil. He and Laughton could help replace Read if he’s traded.

guyfawkes16051105 - Jun 20, 2013 at 10:16 AM

Might not be a lot of room if they win the Bernier sweepstakes.

dockeyhog - Jun 20, 2013 at 10:20 AM

Thanks, but no thanks. The guy is a shell of his former self. Besides, this team already has too many old guys and now there are rumors that they’re entertaining trades that involve their first round pick in the upcoming draft. I love what you did for us in the past Gag’s but it’s time to move on. Time for new blood, and let’s stop signing guys heading into their late 30’s.

Do people even look at the roster before talking? Giroux, Voracek, Simmonds, Read, Couturier, Schenn, Schenn, Laughton, Rinaldo, Gustafsson, and Mason are all 27 or younger. That’s more than half of the team. I don’t know where people get the idea that this is a team full of old guys?

What makes you think Laughton will be making the team this year and will have an major impact? And Gustafsson has had several opportunities and hasn’t stuck around. He’s never been able to stick with the team after the person he replaced came back from injury basically. So you can cross those two off your list in my opinion.

if i can just put aside the results of the games for a sec…. the end of this season was great for Gustafsson. he lost every bit of confidence I had in him during the early part of the season, but got it back with what it looked like he turned into down the stretch. hopefully, that was his game coming around and not just a show of his future inconsistency… but that’s something we’ll see about next season. I think he’ll stick, personally, but I agree with you in that putting 2 minor leaguers on that list isn’t exactly an effective argument.

you might be surprised what a full offseason of workouts, camp, and preseason does for young guys like gustafson and laughton.

dockeyhog - Jun 20, 2013 at 1:50 PM

You named a lot of players there, and you are right that they are not old but do you really see a Stanley Cup in the future with those guys? Laughton hasn’t proven anything yet. I hope he turns into a stud but who knows at this point. Rinaldo has lots of heart, but he’s not half the player that Brad Marchand is. He can irritate and draw penalty’s but he lacks offensive skills. Gustafsson has had so many chances and he still can’t be relied on as anything more then a third line defensemen at best. And I think everyone has there fingers crossed with Mason. You still have a very tired looking Timmonen. Granted he’s still good but his age is seriously showing. Meszaros is a mess physically. Mark Streit is talented but not what he was even 3 years ago and they’re gonna sign him for 4 more. That’s just crazy. Gagne might only be 33 on paper, but his head and body is probably closer to 50. And now there is interest in Brad Richards. Another talented player who’s best years have passed. I have to believe that there is going to be a better option out there then resigning Gagne. And please don’t even entertain the thought of resigning Knuble, Fedotenko, Lilja, Foster, or Gervais… On a positive note, I do like Oliver Lauridsen and people seem to forget about that guy.

Gustafsson played well down the stretch, and then played even better as a 20-25 minute defenseman in the World Championships. Laughton played well in his 5 games but needed a little more seasoning, so I fully expect him to be with the Flyers next year. And yes, having Giroux, Voracek, Simmonds, Read, Couturier, and Schenn as 6 of the top 9 forwards is a quality team. Also, Schenn and Gustafsson are under 25, Grossmann is 28, Coburn/Meszaros (one will be traded) are 27 or 28. The only old guys on the team are Timonen and Streit. In fact, if Gagne isn’t re-signed, the next oldest player is Hartnell at 31 years old.

First, 33 is considered late 30s.
Second, the average age for the Flyers is just under the average age for most teams in the NHL – 27.

The Flyers will have 13 forwards on the roster after Brier is boughtout. I am not sure if Rosehill, McGinn, Laughton, or Akeson are NHL calibur, and I am not sure that Read/Couturier will not be traded. So the Flyersdopn’t trade, they have two solid lines, and two iffy lines, without injuries. Add one injury and there is trouble, add two injuries and you are short a line.

I agree 100% narfmoo. They are one of the youngest teams as far as average age. Half there forwards are early 20’s. There D men are older for the most part, but doesn’t mean they are an “old” team and signing old players. They need to trade Read for Bernier. It would work for both teams, LA needs Wing help and the Flyers need a Goalie obviously. That would help the Flyers get even younger too with a stud like Bernier. Get rid of Bryz and hopefully he goes home to the bears in Russia!!